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Best ammo for Doves

40K views 23 replies 12 participants last post by  tidmarshsmiths5 
#1 ·
For Dove shooting, I had an old timer recommend that if I wasn't going to reload my own "hot" shells for them, I should buy Winchester Super X $15 per box shells for Doves because they are fast (1330 or so) and great pattern quality.

Other than the Winchester Super X $60 per 100 shells, what do you gentlemen recommend that won't break the bank - I'm shooting with my 2 sons (12 gauges) as well = 3x$60 or $180 - ouch!?

Here's a couple of different ones I've bought in the past that were ok (some better than others)...

Remington Nitro Shells ($7.57 per box of 25)
Federal 100 bulk pack at Walmart $20.96
Winchester AA at Walmart $24.96
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Gentlemen,

Thank you for the replies...answered my question.

I patterned a couple of the aforementioned cheap rounds and all did ok and should do the job. However, I'm going to load up on some when they go on sale (usually after the Dove Season hits, they'll put them on sale) so that I can get the best for my money.

Looks like STS/AA's will be where I'm headed for most of my field use. The old timer (my brother's 70 year old father-in-law who's been hunting longer than I've been alive and looked at me with DISDAIN at the cheap shells) likes to reload and he likes the Remingtons for reloads so I can help him since we hunt his Dove fields most of the time early in the season.

I'm still going to buy a case of the Super X's for season 2 so that I can pattern them and compare for myself the difference and if there's a better result in the field ("cause we know its not my shooting or the Browning Golds"). :D

Again, thank you for the replies.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Good information that leads me to two more questions:

1oz, 1 1/8oz, or 7/8oz?

Also, my patterns have been good (just did some more patterning this weekend with Trulock chokes versus Browning factory Inv + chokes with different shells) - which shot (1oz, 1 1/8oz, or 7/8oz) pattern most consistently?

Recoil is not a factor for me as I shoot Browning Golds, which are very soft shooters (after a lot of research and use, shouldering shotguns, and reading Mr. Wakeman's Father's Gold article - I am sold on Browning Golds) - they really take the recoil out of the equation. My 870 on the other hand isn't bad until the Doves quit flying and then I realize that after the excitement that my shoulder says ouch, but not bad enough to make me flinch, yet it does kick a lot more to me. I am not ready to reload yet...more time and experience will help me decide on that.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Gentlemen, thank you for the replies.

Pretty good shot most of the time, but the Doves are psychic when I raise the gun up...not all of them as I have taken almost 20 this season on a couple of different outings.
 
Discussion starter · #22 ·
Thanks to the knowledgeable folks on this site...have made me a much better and more knowledgeable shotgunner.
Have a case of Shurshot Heavy Dove for the 20 (bought on sale at Academy for $40); 10 boxes of STS individually bought for the 12s; 8 boxes of AAs bought individually; and a couple odd and end boxes of Win Target loads. Now, if Academy will put their 12 gauge cases on sale, I'll pick one of those up and will be so ready!

Why so much Ammo? Because I'm such a great shot! haha!

C'mon Sept 4th! so looking forward to it! As a matter of fact...kinda wondering why I bought that bow for early Deer season...I'll choose Dove over Deer in September 10 out of 10 times. For that matter, why'd I buy all those muzzleloader supplies today...man, I'll have to weigh at least one Saturday to Deer...oh, I got it...deer in the morning and then drive over to the dove field! Woo-hoo!
 
Discussion starter · #24 ·
Randy...HAHA! That made me laugh...I probably need a belt fed something or another to make it fair for me (those doves fly in and point me out and do circles around me just to watch me shoot and laugh)...

My youngest son likes to make fun that he hits more clays than I do...but I have improved. Funny thing is that I'm a heck of a shot with a rifle. The deal is I'm left eye dominant and shooting with both eyes open have gotten better with the shotgun. I seem to shoot the 870 better with no mods so I'm leaning toward a fitting this year.

Plus, I have to buy shells for me, my oldest boy, my brother and my nephew (they never bring enough).

Oh well, home on lunch break...better get back to work.
 
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